NMSU regents talk freshman retention

LAS CRUCES – Despite efforts and initiatives to improve student retention at New Mexico State University, Executive Vice President and Provost Dan Howard told the Board of Regents Wednesday that retention of last year’s freshmen fell by 1.8 percent over the previous year.

This year, 71.3 percent of last year’s freshmen returned to NMSU — compared to 73.1 percent in the Fall 2015 semester. In real numbers, that’s about 40 more first-year students who didn’t return for their sophomore year, Howard said.

Freshmen enrollment has increased at NMSU for the past two years, and the university has invested in programs like Student Success Navigators, who provide guidance to freshmen and sophomores and help them adjust. Other efforts are underway to help students graduate with an undergraduate degree in four years, and a new program helps direct undecided freshmen toward a field they are interested in.

Howard said the university managed to contact and survey 181 first-year students who did not re-enroll this fall. The majority — 108 of them — reported that they did not return for financial reasons. Seventy-one of the students have accounts in collection with University Accounts Receivable, which prevented them from registering. Many said they hope to return to NMSU if they are able to gain more stable financial footing.

Others left for colleges offering less expensive tuition — typically at community colleges, Howard said. Others said they accepted better scholarship offers or moved closer to home to lower their living expenses.

Howard told regents he is working with university staff to identify and attempt to intervene, directing students at risk of dropping out to available resources.

“There’s a small, worn dent over here in my spot from the years of pounding on my desk about retention,” joked Regent Kari Mitchell, adding that she is excited about the university’s plans to use predictive analytics to improve the retention rate.

Chancellor Garrey Carruthers also suggested the possibility of setting up payment plans or making financial arrangements with students for whom money is the primary obstacle. He recalled arriving at NMSU as an undergraduate without any money.

“I got a job, and they put me on a payment plan,” Carruthers said. “Maybe we ought to look more carefully at trying to encourage a reasonable payment plan.”

Carruthers also updated regents on many of the metrics being tracked as part of the university’s Vision 2020 Strategic Plan — including enrollment, completion, student employment and career placement for graduates.

Carruthers also named Justin Bannister the new interim vice president of marketing and communications. Bannister, who has worked in University Communications for 10 years, replaces Maureen Howard, who retired in August after leading the department for 13 years.

Damien Willis may be reached at 575-541-5468,dawillis@lcsun-news.com or@damienwillis on Twitter.